How the PSAT/NMSQT Is Scored

Students receive a total score that is the sum of their scores on the two sections.

All test questions are first scored as correct or incorrect. There is no penalty for guessing, so try to answer every question. The difficulty level and other qualities of each question (such as how well it differentiates skill level or how easy it is to guess on a question), as well as whether the student got the question right or wrong, are taken into account when calculating a student's score. This score is then converted to the reported scaled score of 160–760 on each section. Every test conforms to a standardized specification of question types and qualities, so all students have equitable opportunity to demonstrate their strengths.